Wildfires raging across Los Angeles have claimed at least 24 lives, with firefighters battling to contain the infernos before the return of strong winds that threaten to intensify the flames.
The fires, now burning for a sixth consecutive day, have reduced entire neighbourhoods to ashes, destroyed thousands of homes, and forced over 100,000 residents to evacuate.
Officials reported that 16 people remain missing, with 12 unaccounted for in the Eaton Fire zone, located in the foothills east of Los Angeles, and four in the Palisades Fire area on the city’s western side.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed that none of the missing individuals are children.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath described the ongoing devastation as a nightmarish ordeal, stating, “LA County had another night of unimaginable terror and heartbreak.”
The fires have damaged or destroyed 12,000 structures, leaving an apocalyptic landscape in their wake. Private forecasting firm AccuWeather has estimated the economic impact of the disaster to range between $135 billion and $150 billion.
California Governor Gavin Newsom called the fires potentially “the worst natural disaster in US history in terms of costs associated with it.” To accelerate recovery efforts, the governor has signed an executive order temporarily suspending environmental regulations for rebuilding destroyed homes and businesses.
The Palisades Fire has consumed 23,713 acres (96 square kilometres) and is only 11% contained, while the Eaton Fire has burned 14,117 acres (57 square kilometres) and saw containment increase to 27%, up from 15% the previous day.
North of Los Angeles, the Hurst Fire is 89% contained, and three other wildfires in the county have been fully contained, though officials warn that smouldering areas within containment lines may still pose risks.
Aerial firefighting crews, some drawing water directly from the Pacific Ocean, have been dropping water and fire retardant on the blazes, while land crews work tirelessly with tools and hoses to hold containment lines. The Palisades Fire has encroached on the affluent Brentwood area, further endangering lives and property.
The region experienced a brief reprieve as the fierce Santa Ana winds, which previously reached hurricane strength and fanned the flames, temporarily subsided. However, the National Weather Service has warned that these dry winds, originating from inland deserts, are expected to return on Sunday night, with gusts of up to 70 miles per hour (112 kilometres per hour) predicted to last through Wednesday.
Governor Newsom has urged residents to remain vigilant, as officials warn that evacuation orders could be issued for any part of the county. With no significant rainfall since April, the threat posed by these relentless wildfires remains critical.
